WTVN Local News

Officials try extra filtering on smelly Columbus water

by The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) --Columbus is spending $600,000 to treat its drinking water for a mysterious foul smell and flavor.

The city is treating the water from a large reservoir with five times the carbon it usually uses to try to get rid of the strange odor and flavor that has baffled engineers since November. The reservoir serves 500,000 city water customers, many of whom have complained about it.

Officials with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that their recent tests found no contaminants in the water. The agency also said it is becoming "more engaged" in the problem.

Laura Young Mohr, spokeswoman for the city's utilities department, said officials believe said the issue stems from algae that produce earthy and pond-like flavors and odors.